Quotes about Love

It is now clear that faith is a singular pledge of paternal love, treasured up for the sons whom he has adopted.

God very commonly takes on the character of a husband to us. Indeed, the union by which he binds us to himself when he receives us into the bosom of the church is like sacred wedlock.

Although brethren die for brethren, yet no martyr's blood is shed for the remission of sins: this Christ did for us, and in this conferred upon us not what we should imitate, but what should make us grateful," (August. Tract. in Joann. 84).

In particular, we must observe   this general rule, that we cordially desire and labor for the welfare   of the whole human race. Thus it will come to pass, that we shall not   only give way to the exercise of God's mercy, but shall also wish the   conversion of those who seem obstinately to rush upon their own   destruction. In

we must realize that death was not a pleasure or a game for Christ, and that he suffered excruciation to the utmost for our sakes.

By piety I mean that union of reverence and love to God which the knowledge of his benefits inspires.

By these words it is plain he does not make love the cause of forgiveness, but the proof of it.

To this it must be added that a sincere love of the law of God is a sure sign of our adoption because it is a work of the Spirit...

in the freest manner, and on no mercenary grounds, does God bestow upon us his love and favor, just as, when we were not yet born, and when he was prompted by nothing but his own will, he fixed upon us his choice.

God for our sake is willing to stoop down and, by such a wonderfully gentle and intimate invitation, entice us to him, so that we may rest safely and quietly under his protection.

Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.

We are not to reflect on the wickedness of men but to look to the image of God in them, an image which, covering and obliterating their faults, an image which, by its beauty and dignity, should allure us to love and embrace them.